Libelle spoilers

Are any other Libelle fliers having difficulty extending the spoilers. Mine have become very stiff, sometimes requiring two hands to unlock.

There's an old procedure called lubrication, try it and you'll be amazed at the results!

On Fri, 09 Sep 2016 15:50:33 -0700, johnsinclair210 wrote:

There's an old procedure called lubrication, try it and you'll be amazed
at the results!

My H.201 got lubed during its last inspection (medium viscosity oil on
all bearings in the boxes and also, because both wings felt a little
stiff, on the bearings in root ribs and was nice and free. Then, for a
variety of reasons it didn't get rigged or flown until mid August. After
assembly positives showed that the brakes were virtually solid. Sliding
the wings apart let me check each wing separately. I have a special tool
fabricated from 3mm wall thickness alloy tube and a 10mm solid rod
because that makes routing maintenance easier. One wing was as expected,
but the other was very stiff indeed, but opening and closing that brake
several times made it less stiff and a shot of oil on the root rib
bearing made it nice an free again. Since then its remained rigged but
last week I noticed it was tending to stiffen up again.

I've had my Libelle, s/n 82, so balsa skins and top and bottom brakes for
10 years and this is the first time I've had her stiffen up like this.

Is this a known problem for 201s?

Am I using the right lubricant?

I used oil rather than grease since getting the latter into the root rib
bearing would be rather difficult without surgery.



--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |

Thanks, JJ. So lubrication is the secret!
Something like LPS1 perhaps?
http://www.lpslabs.com/product-details/560
Unsure if it's available in Britain.
Jim

On Fri, 09 Sep 2016 17:35:08 -0700, JS wrote:

Thanks, JJ. So lubrication is the secret! Something like LPS1 perhaps?
http://www.lpslabs.com/product-details/560 Unsure if it's available in
Britain.
Jim

Yep, LPS1 is available here via Amazon, though at about four times the
price of a similar sized can of WD-40. Is it really 4 times better?


--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |

On Saturday, September 10, 2016 at 8:50:47 AM UTC-4, Martin Gregorie wrote:
On Fri, 09 Sep 2016 17:35:08 -0700, JS wrote:

Thanks, JJ. So lubrication is the secret! Something like LPS1 perhaps?
http://www.lpslabs.com/product-details/560 Unsure if it's available in
Britain.
Jim

Yep, LPS1 is available here via Amazon, though at about four times the
price of a similar sized can of WD-40. Is it really 4 times better?


--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |

You are --way-- better off with an old school pump oiler with a flexible spout and a needle oiler. Between the two you can lubricate anything on the glider that needs it... and nothing that doesn't.

-Evan

On Saturday, September 10, 2016 at 8:50:47 AM UTC-4, Martin Gregorie wrote:
On Fri, 09 Sep 2016 17:35:08 -0700, JS wrote:

Thanks, JJ. So lubrication is the secret! Something like LPS1 perhaps?
http://www.lpslabs.com/product-details/560 Unsure if it's available in
Britain.
Jim

Yep, LPS1 is available here via Amazon, though at about four times the
price of a similar sized can of WD-40. Is it really 4 times better?


--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |

LSP1 and WD40 are two different things! WD40 is not to be used as a lubricant. it is a fluid designed to displace water (WD = water displacement, trial 40) and it creeps into frozen or corroded joints. It evaporates easily - spray some on an open surface and see how much is still there the next day.
LPS1 is more suited as a lubricant. It leaves a dry, lubricating Silicone film.
Uli

On Friday, September 9, 2016 at 8:35:09 PM UTC-4, JS wrote:
Thanks, JJ. So lubrication is the secret!
Something like LPS1 perhaps?
http://www.lpslabs.com/product-details/560
Unsure if it's available in Britain.
Jim

For gummy bearings I have found that a 1:1 mixture of light oil(3 in 1) and Marvel Mystery oil does a very good job of penetrating and softening up old dry lube. I use a small hypodermic needle to apply it.After operating to work some of the old crap out, lubricate with original type lube.
I don't like any kind of spray lube for the simple reason that it gets all over stuff that it was not intended to get on. Try to do a repair with spray lube crap all over.
FWIW
UH

On Saturday, September 10, 2016 at 5:57:03 AM UTC-7, wrote:
On Friday, September 9, 2016 at 8:35:09 PM UTC-4, JS wrote:
Thanks, JJ. So lubrication is the secret!
Something like LPS1 perhaps?
http://www.lpslabs.com/product-details/560
Unsure if it's available in Britain.
Jim

For gummy bearings I have found that a 1:1 mixture of light oil(3 in 1) and Marvel Mystery oil does a very good job of penetrating and softening up old dry lube. I use a small hypodermic needle to apply it.After operating to work some of the old crap out, lubricate with original type lube.
I don't like any kind of spray lube for the simple reason that it gets all over stuff that it was not intended to get on. Try to do a repair with spray lube crap all over.
FWIW
UH

Sorry for the delayed reply. Been "flieging" over the weekend.
With aerosols, try removing the spray nozzle and put a #10 nylon washer on before replacing the nozzle. Especially when using the nozzle extension tube it makes it easier to apply a small amount without getting it all over the place.
Yes. Marvel Mystery oil is a mysterious and fabulous thing.
Jim

There is a gear box on the root rib that changes rotational input to push-pull output that drive the spoilers. I remember one bird that I was unable to free up this gear box. The gears are inside a fiberglass box..........the only way I could see to get some lube in there was to drill a 2mm hole in the fiberglass box. Worked like a charm.
JJ